John Hickenlooper accepts Democrats nomination for governor

John Hickenlooper[1] accepted the Democratic party’s nomination for governor today, after a speech emphasizing his business experience and outlining a general vision for leading the state through its present and future challenges.

“Starting a business, meeting a payroll, balancing budgets is something Colorado’s next governor should know,” said the Denver mayor and former restaurant owner. “We believe that government can be a catalyst for economic development that brings jobs and helps restore our economy.

“We want to brand the state so when people hear the word ‘Colorado,’ they think of entrepreneurship the same way they think of ski slopes.”

Hickenlooper, who received a standing ovation from the delegates at the 1st Bank Center in Broomfield, also underscored a theme similar to that from his mayoral campaign seven years ago: collaboration.

“We are all joined at the hip,” he said, referring to interests of the entire state in water issues.

The mayor continued to stress his intention of running a positive campaign, but also took a few shots at his Republican opponent Scott McInnis and the Republican Gubernatorial CommitteeGovernor’s Association, which has recently run TV and radio ads criticizing his ability to create and keep jobs.

“If that’s the best they can do, I’m not terribly worried,” he said at a press conference after his nomination.

The mayor, known for quirky behavior, opened his speech by mocking the ads, which say that he and Democratic Gov. Bill Ritter are “of the same stripe.”

“I’m here this morning to correct the record on zebras,” Hickenlooper said, wearing a sport coat with zebra-striped lapel.